Fall Shop Ride Wrap: Airhead Edition

On what turned out to be the coldest day of the fall riding season, a hardy group of (mostly) vintage BMW riders converged on the shop in Bridgeport for the second annual-ish Union Garage Airhead Ride.

The theme of the shop ride was "Air Cooled," and even mother nature played along, providing some brisk, very cold air that barely topped 50 degrees all day. Shoutout to Daniel (@Airheadfix) and all the riders who made the morning pilgrimage from the boroughs. 


Luckily after a regroup stop at a scenic overlook by the Bear Mountain Bridge, the sun came out, and we conga'd our way into Harriman State Park under blue skies and into a bright yellow canopy of fall foliage, relishing the spaghetti-like roads of Arden Valley and Seven Lakes Drive.

After a couple false starts and some confused reconnoitering, we found the capacious Cooper's Tavern in Sloatsburg, NY, where we filled our bellies with a late, hot lunch, before scattering in the wind back to our respective homes while the sun was still shining.

MAIN GALLERY 

By the numbers: 

• Temperatures: between 40-50F

• Bikes: mostly 40- to 50-year-old airhead BMWs; a custom Guzzi LeMans; a couple modern interlopers

• Riders: 12, including one brave pillion 

• Mileage: 200, primarily on backroads between CT and NY

• Smash burgers smashed: 8?

• Chance of rain: 0

• Chance would do again: 100

As we've disclaimed in the past, all bikes truly are welcome on these vintage themed rides, and Alex on his trusty Triumph Scrambler Anthony aboard his BMW R9T joined the party.

When you're as well outfitted as Anthony (ahem, John Doe jeans, our own Derringer boots and limited edition green Robinson Jacket) you'll always be welcomed.

Like a border collie takes to sheep, photographer Peter Domorak has an innate ability to line up riders for portraits. Here's this year's class pictures:

We're always glad when our favorite Slovak can join a shop event aboard one of his trusty Royal Enfields. Thank you Peter for the photos, and to everyone else for braving the cold for what turned into a brilliant day.